Festival History
First International Folklore Festival "Etnovyr" burst with the brightest paints in the threshold of Independence Day holiday from 20th till 23rd Augusts 2008. A real cultural explosion caught citizens and guests of Lviv with a temperament wave, holding them captive for four days at Lviv streets and squares: – Svobody avenue, Rynok Square, Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life.
The musical and dancing program of the festival was very rich, and included a colorful parade of the festival participants, a solemn opening of the festival on the 20th of August on the Rynok square, which was followed by a concert of folklore groups from Ukraine and abroad.
On the 21st and 22nd of August the Rynok square was welcoming folklore groups from Ukraine; whereas on the 23rd of August there was a parade and concert of "Etnovyr" festival participants from other countries, which ended with balloons in the air.
The festival carried on explosive fireworks of emotions into Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life, which simultaneously hosted both a concert of folklore groups and a handicrafts fair of Ukrainian artists and the festival participants.
The Gala-concert and Closing of the First International Folklore Festival "Etnovyr" resulted into an evening of friendship, during which orchestra competition of the folklore groups took place.
The Festival turned out to be so bright and colorful, that citizens and guests of the city were looking forward to the next one.
And Second International Folklore Festival "Etnovyr" in 2009 has not betrayed their expectations! It was as vivid and colourful as in 2008. Again Lviv streets and squares transformed into dancing grounds, where folklore groups from all over the world were demonstrating their art, using the language of music, dancing, and singing.
The Second International Folklore Festival "Etnovyr" was crowned by a Gala-Concert in Lviv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Solomiya Krushelnytska.
In addition to bright and unforgettable impressions, the festival in Lviv has carved an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding of different cultures, which could be expressed in the following motto: "You see it white, I see it black, He sees it green, She sees it Red. But We all live in the same world: let's make it colourful!"
